Akron Municipal Court finally has a new court administrator to replace Kenneth Kuckuck, who was abruptly fired from the position last summer.

The judges chose Montrella Jackson after an extensive and national search, according to a news release. She formerly worked for Summit County Children Services as an advocate, legal counsel and administrator for 13 years.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic is among eight mayors from across the country who sent a letter to federal leaders this week, calling on them to pass gun control and take other steps to prevent a repeat of the bloodshed in Connecticut.

"Too many times this year, mayors have expressed shock at a mass shooting," the mayors said in the letter to President Barack Obama and Congressional members. "Even more frequently, many of us must cope with the gun violence that occurs on the streets of our streets."

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan got his Christmas wish -- a reappointment to the powerful House Appropriations Committee he was booted off of in 2010 when the Democrats lost control of Congress.

Ryan, D-Niles, told the Beacon Journal last month that his committee appointments likely would factor into his decision about whether to run for Ohio governor in 2014. He noted that he was hoping for a return to the appropriations committee, which decides the budget.